Uncut magazine described Salford based singer songwriter and poet Vinny Peculiar (aka Alan Wilkes) as ‘the Tony Hancock of Pop’ upon the release of his 2002 album Ironing the Soul. Since this inspired debut, he’s put out ten albums of ‘alternative pop’ music to considerable critical acclaim.

He has worked with an impressive list of collaborators includes Bill Drummond (KLF), Luke Haines (The Auteurs), Jah Wobble (PIL) – and his various bands have included ex-members of The Smiths, Oasis, Aztec Camera and The Fall. Vinny is also one half ofParlour Flames, the collaboration with ex-Oasis rhythm guitarist Bonehead.

Vinny has played European and US tour dates opening for the likes of Nils Lofgren, British Sea Power, Edwyn Collins and Luke Haines, and he’s a former compere on theGlastonbury Acoustic Stage. New album – his 12th – Down The Bright Steam was released in March 2015:

‘Peculiar songs are hyper literate, confessional and often very funny. He can make you laugh and cry at the same time, a rare and precious gift’ – Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

‘The missing link between Jarvis Cocker and poet Roger McGough and some of the wittiest lyrics this side of Wreckless Eric’ – Irish Times

‘Autobiographical fragments brightened by adoration of Bowie, punk and ‘Alice Cooper on TOTP’ – Classic Rock

Main support comes from Manchester’s own Steve O’Donoghue, who has been compared to Roddy Frame, Edwin Collins and Glen Tillbrook.

Opening the show is Tony Walsh. Also known as Longfella, Walsh is ‘one of the UK’s most renowned perfomance poets’. The official Poet in Residence for Glastonbury Festival in 2011, his poetry has featured on BBC1, BBC2, Sky, XFM, BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, 5Live and on 6 Music’s An Audience With The Clash programme.